Congressman Cory Gardner (R-Col.) recently introduced legislation to streamline the process for mining operations to dispose of solid waste, such as piles of rocks and dirt.
Gardner named the bill the Reducing Excessive Deadline Obligations Act of 2013. It is designed to reduce red tape, improve environmental regulations and give states more control while reducing the involvement of the federal government. It would eliminate two deadlines established by the Solid Waste Disposal Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.
Gardner said the deadlines are unnecessary.
“One of the most common complaints I hear from businesses and local elected officials is that excessive and often duplicative regulations are a drain on limited financial resources and staff time,” Gardner said. “My goal with this bill is to simplify the rules for eliminating solid waste, so that it happens in the most efficient and environmentally friendly way possible.”
The proposed bill would also allow the Environmental Protection Agency to review and revise Solid Waste Disposal Act regulations as appropriate instead of every three years as current law requires. The EPA would also be prohibited from imposing overlapping regulations on states where sufficient levels of protection for solid waste disposal already exist.
Gardner’s legislation was recently approved by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.